BILL PURPOSE: (1) Temporarily raises the annual
cap on H-1B visas; (2) changes the
allocation of H-1B visa fee revenue among various Federal programs; and (3) modifies
current programs that train and educate U.S. workers and students.

OMB ESTIMATE: P.L. 106-313 raises the
limit on H-1B visas available in 1999 through
2003 to 195,000. After 2003, the limit will revert to 65,000. The retroactive change for
1999 and 2000 has the practical effect of making approximately 45,000 additional H-1B
visas available for 2001. OMB estimates that additional fee income of $561 million will
be collected over 2001 through 2005 as the result of the increased number of visas. This
fee income is available to be spent without further action. Because the spending lags the
collection of fees, there are net savings in 2001 through 2003 and net costs in later years.

(Fiscal years; in millions of
dollars)

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

Net costs...............

0

-113

-66

-36

128

65

CBO ESTIMATE:

(Fiscal years; in millions of dollars)

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

Net costs...............

0

-126

-77

-57

145

78

EXPLANATION OF DIFFERENCES BETWEEN OMB AND CBO ESTIMATES:

There are minor differences between OMB and CBO estimates of increased fee income
and the rate at which program spending will occur.

NOTE: The cumulative effect of direct
spending and revenue legislation enacted to date is
currently estimated to result in an end-of-session sequester. The Administration looks forward to
working with the Congress to ensure that an unintended sequester does not occur.